Racing at Taupo in the winter

[Clivoris]

I'm curious about what RACERS think about this. I think the risk at race-pace is much greater than at track days. I'm split down the middle about racing there in the winter. I love the track configuration (Track 1) and while the track surface is slippier than Manfield for example, it is manageable. The repairs there are positively treacherous in the wet or cold, but Round 1 of the Actrix Winter Series showed that racers can ride to the conditions and they simply added another level of difficulty. Some people liked the challenge.
Alternatively, I find it difficult to relax there and trust the surface. There is also the risk that someone will push their luck on the repairs and take a few others out.
Please express some opinions here and give the poll a lash.

[codgyoleracer]

Thats a toughie Clive, the location obviously pulls in a few from up north (especially for the early rounds) as it tends to keep competitors coming to the later rounds & building points. Pity to hear about the track condition and if its a s bad as you say. Taupo is behind the 8 ball a bit with its high elevation & very cool overnight conditons resulting in everyone waiting till midday before there is any decent heat / grip in the tarmac !
Its a busy little layout - but has its own character aye, - also its good to support the circuit to some level & keep them in business so to speak.
Its not one of my personal favorites though - as i find it quite boring generally - but each to their own !
Glen

[Quasievil]

Great Track but in a shocking state of repair so frankly I think it should be boycotted until they sought their shit out and fix it.......what am I talking about ??

the apparent non slip surface repairs which offers the grip of a teflon frying pan after cooking a feed of greasy chips.

The White painted lines coming onto the front straight which guarantees a front end slip each lap

fix that then it should be mint

[YellowDog]

Isn't there a Health and Safety governing body that needs to certify the track as safe for racing on a regular basis?

[Shaun P]

When the new track first opened it was great, but after a while it degraded a bit, seems to never have been kept up to a good standard - shame really

[Deano]

The poll options don't quite reflect my sentiments, as it depends on the weather. On the whole I don't mind racing there. When it is dry it is great and a lot of fun. When it is wet/slippery it is definitely less fun, but very challenging.

[bistard]

Clive,me old mate,I dont think the Vic Club should be running at Taupo,Ask your self why dont the Nationals run There????
The surface & repairs & some of the run off clearly have some safety issues,apart fromt the obvious manpower issues of running a meeting that far away from home

[sinfull]

Ticked option 2 cause i do love the track but as it is now, i'd be dubious about heading out in the wet ! (but then i have never ridden on wets soooo)
If i had to go out for qualifying early on a fine winters day, it would'nt be a fast time (by my standards here, know it would'nt be fast by others standards on a good day)

[svr]

When the new track first opened it was great, but after a while it degraded a bit, seems to never have been kept up to a good standard - shame really

Probably (like Manfield) the state of the track surface reflects the poor financial state of the Taupo circuit.
All things considered the Taupo surface is no worse than Manfield was 2 years ago - were people up in arms then?
Taupo is about 1.5 deg colder than Fielding (but drier). Big deal. And the track is better than the Manfield triple dragstrip.
Harden up people!

[Ivan]

I love the track lay out it really is quite a riders circuit with fast flowing andtight hairpins its great but when wet or drying its a nightmare.

Well round 1 I was worried about grip and opted for wets in the dry to give me grip

[Kickaha]

Clive,me old mate,I dont think the Vic Club should be running at Taupo,Ask your self why dont the Nationals run There????


I understood the only reason the Nationals didn't run there was because no club was prepared to run it

I like the new circuit but it's been at least 18 months since I was last there so am unawre of any track issues regarding surface etc

[Clivoris]

Bugger. I agree with everyone. It's definitely marginal for The VMCC from an financial point of view, and costs us money, but we spread the expense over the series. It has to be easier for the Auckland Hard-core (and we honestly love you's:love:) and it is great to have a little variety in the Actrix Winter Series. Organisationally it's a nightmare and we would be totally screwed (at all the rounds) without Nigel Armstrong of the Pacific Club and his marshalling team.
As a racing experience though, it isn't much fun for me in the wet or cold. Should racing be all about fun? And the only 2 months that are feasible for us are May or October. A few years back Manfield definitely had its problems with track repairs, but they have never used a slippery emulsion and when we pointed out how slippery the grid markings were, they removed them and replaced them with a less slippery alternative. It is also half the price to hire. Right now, manfield has an awesome track surface that has more traction than Shaun Harris after his last Isle of Man (Respect).
I would also like to be a good enough racer to ride Taupo no matter what the conditions and the only way to achieve that is to ride there no matter what the conditions.
Somebody out there in the cyber world must have the answer to this dilemna.

[I14]

After doing the Vic club round 1 on the Saturday, I did a trackday on the following Friday. There was frost on the ground all around and they showed a piece of sheet ice ostensibly taken from a puddle next to the circuit at the briefing so I guess track temp was around zero. I had warmers so was quite happy going out for session 1 in the dry though was unsure of the grip so didn't really go for it. The shiney bits on the edges of the repairs were causing brief slides as you crossed them and the painted lines into the front straight were also giving little slides despite the fact they were dry. Well I should've made the most of it because then it started an icey rain and so subsequent sessions became a nervous pick between all the repairs/painted lines as the grip got even worse. Only guy going for it in my group (2) was #71 on full wets but most others were like me, riding like a real granny. As usual braking and accelerating (upright) were fine but if you got anywhere near a dodgey bit, instant slip. I wasn't improving or learning anything so after 3 sessions we quit (it dried out for session 4!).
I guess it's all part of the learning process but I'm pleased the next rounds are at Manfeild. Even if the grip's not much better there's less bumpy "challenges" to catch you out!

[Shaun]

Bugger. I agree with everyone. It's definitely marginal for The VMCC from an financial point of view, and costs us money, but we spread the expense over the series. It has to be easier for the Auckland Hard-core (and we honestly love you's:love:) and it is great to have a little variety in the Actrix Winter Series. Organisationally it's a nightmare and we would be totally screwed (at all the rounds) without Nigel Armstrong of the Pacific Club and his marshalling team.
As a racing experience though, it isn't much fun for me in the wet or cold. Should racing be all about fun? And the only 2 months that are feasible for us are May or October. A few years back Manfield definitely had its problems with track repairs, but they have never used a slippery emulsion and when we pointed out how slippery the grid markings were, they removed them and replaced them with a less slippery alternative. It is also half the price to hire. Right now, manfield has an awesome track surface that has more traction than Shaun Harris after his last Isle of Man (Respect).
I would also like to be a good enough racer to ride Taupo no matter what the conditions and the only way to achieve that is to ride there no matter what the conditions.
Somebody out there in the cyber world must have the answer to this dilemna.

ha ha what is traction mate

[Quasievil]

ha ha what is traction mate

As in youre in traction, ie smashed up bones with steel bits holding you together........ya poor bugger that must still fucking hurt !

[NinjaBoy]

I don't mind racing there and it adds variety to the Vic Series. The current track repairs do make it quite challenging especially in the wet, but in the dry I have no problems pushing the limits. I wish there were more race meets there. As someone mentioned, I too heard the only reason there was not a national round there was due to finding a club prepared to run it.

[scuzeme]

I like Taupo it is my favorite track so far, but it can bite the unwary.
I have had the "turn two smash down" which came completely out of nowhere and i agree with Quasi about the corner coming back onto the start/finsh straight where the front end loses grip on every paint line as you throttle through the corner before you get the bike upright for the straight.
My advice to you nervous buggers is to get your arses up to the endurance race at end of year, hopefully it will be raining and bloody cold like the last one, if you finish youl be set for the rest of the years racing there no matter what the conditions. :Punk:

[Tony.OK]

Like the track, don't like the state of it lately. Its hard enough worrying about breaking traction on a good surface.
If they get some real repairs done though am more than happy to race there.

I rather ride on bumps than synthetic black ice anyday!

[roadracingoldfart]

Clive,me old mate,I dont think the Vic Club should be running at Taupo,Ask your self why dont the Nationals run There????
The surface & repairs & some of the run off clearly have some safety issues,apart fromt the obvious manpower issues of running a meeting that far away from home


I agree , but i have to say that after my letter to the club 2 years ago.

The reason VMCC agreed to try a round at Taupo was because the northern racers may come and then do the rest of the series and then in turn the Auckland Club would hold a meeting there as part of their series to encourage Southern racers to go to that and so on and so on. Merit and value for both clubs and the circuit with a bonus of a diff track for the racers.

So 4 years later there is no Auck meeting there and VMCC has to spend a fucking huge amount of money on holding a meeting 350 odd kms away from the clubs city and the cost burden is spread over the rest of the series.
Taupo is a good track layout but im afraid the devotion to the bike sector is lax and unless its a car then they dont give much of a toss. Why is it the A1 GP is moving away , ? .

VMCC belongs in the lower north due to the base of its roots in my opinion and i have had several others expressing similar to me over the years.

Choice is good but at what cost, get another wet meeting cancelled and then have the track defer a refund on a goat track for a year because it cant pay you the money back as its already spent .

Summing , there is no real easy answer Clive , just opinions of individuals like mine.

Paul.

[Shaun]

As in youre in traction, ie smashed up bones with steel bits holding you together........ya poor bugger that must still fucking hurt !


Nah mate, only when it really cold, or I fall over pissed:shit:

[Biggles08]

So 4 years later there is no Auck meeting there and VMCC has to spend a fucking huge amount of money on holding a meeting 350 odd kms away from the clubs city and the cost burden is spread over the rest of the series.

Well as a Auckland based rider it worked for me. In fact, I am so impressed with VMCC I may not renew my membership with AMCC and join VMCC just because they pay more attention to thier members. The fact that VMCC goes out of their way for us riders and does take a punt at running a dificult event miles away from home rates very high in my books. That is evidence of healthy decision making at managment level which I want to reward! WELL DONE VMCC FOR RUNNING THIS EVENT AT TAUPO FOR US NORTHERNERS!

[roogazza]

Clive,me old mate,I dont think the Vic Club should be running at Taupo,Ask your self why dont the Nationals run There????
The surface & repairs & some of the run off clearly have some safety issues,apart fromt the obvious manpower issues of running a meeting that far away from home

+1 Barry , apparently it's expensive for the club, and for that reason alone drop it. Gaz.

[Tony.OK]

Now if we could just get Manfeild owners to do what Taupo owners do regarding pit shed prices...................................:msn-wink:

[Matt Bleck]

+1, I may not be racing neow, but the VMCC first round at Taupo LAST year was the reason I had ago in the next few rounds.

I agree with most about the state of the track at the moment, BUT what I'm most concerned about is that if we stop supportting the Track in what seems like a hard Finacal time for them, then we may lose it all together and that would REALLY suck.

Taupo Race Track must be rather concerned about it (the state of the track), especially with Hampton Downs opening soon!

[Skunk]

Just to try and drag this back on track:

The question was doing Taupo in Winter - yes, no, maybe?

[scrivy]

Somebody out there in the cyber world must have the answer to this dilemna.

Easy peasy Clivoris....... Everyone should go racing a sidecar!!!!
Slippery track, cold track, broken track, ice on the track, obstacles on the track, oil on the track, doesn't matter what is wrong with the track..... it just adds to your excitement!!! You can go hard as 100% of the time without worrying about the track condition!! No stressing out at all!!
Sweet!! Problem solved!! :Punk::love:

[driftn]

I must say that I love Taupo (full circut) but would prefer to run there in the summer as it can get a bit hairy at times.

[Shaun]

Easy peasy Clivoris....... Everyone should go racing a sidecar!!!!
Slippery track, cold track, broken track, ice on the track, obstacles on the track, oil on the track, doesn't matter what is wrong with the track..... it just adds to your excitement!!! You can go hard as 100% of the time without worrying about the track condition!! No stressing out at all!!
Sweet!! Problem solved!! :Punk::love:



cool, give me your chair then

[Shaun]

Taupo may hurt ya, but what can Pukekohe do to ya even in the dry

[Clivoris]

Easy peasy Clivoris....... Everyone should go racing a sidecar!!!!
Slippery track, cold track, broken track, ice on the track, obstacles on the track, oil on the track, doesn't matter what is wrong with the track..... it just adds to your excitement!!! You can go hard as 100% of the time without worrying about the track condition!! No stressing out at all!!
Sweet!! Problem solved!! :Punk::love:
:laugh: It's definitely one solution allright.


Taupo may hurt ya, but what can Pukekohe do to ya even in the dry

Never raced at Puke. The distance is a barrier, as is it's reputation.

[scrivy]

cool, give me your chair then

Nah mate, mines too slow for you...........

[ryanf062]

:Oi:i was disapointed to hear the track repairs were still shit for the first round of the winter series as i was told that they were supposed to have been fixed before then. the clubs pay a lot of money to hire the track and i didnt think it was fair that the didnt have the track up to a good standard but it was still a good day and it usualy is a good track but it just required a bit more caution to race there.

[slowpoke]

It's definitely not a place I enjoy racing at, although I acknowledge it is probably good from a learning aspect. It's a bit of a one line wonder through 3/4's of it, with 2 gear corner after 2nd gear corner followed by you guessed it, another 2nd gear corner. But learning is all about moving outside your comfort zone right, so I just treat it as a necessary, if not totally enjoyable, learning experience.
As for racing in the rain, I popped my wet racing cherry at the last round and was suprised how much fun it is, wet weather racing rocks!
The thing that seemed to make wet weather racing do-able at Taupo in Round 1 was that just about everybody avoided the patches like bacon at a barmitzvah. So the logical extension of this could possibly be to cone off the patches all together. That way we'd all be racing on an almost perfect track surface, with the major hazard removed.
Then I've just got to sort out some supension settings for the colder track surface, 'cos what left me with a perfectly scrubbed rear tyre at the PMCC final round left me with a tyre half way to rooted from what looks like cold tearing.

[scrivy]

But learning is all about moving outside your comfort zone right, so I just treat it as a necessary, if not totally enjoyable, learning experience.
So the logical extension of this could possibly be to cone off the patches all together. That way we'd all be racing on an almost perfect track surface, with the major hazard removed.

You're onto it slowpoke. I couldn't care less about racing at the exact same track each time. Why don't they just cone the bad areas off? It would make a different track for everyone.
Places like Puke, why can't they cone in a chicane on the back straight for slower classes? Hockenheim has chicanes used by bikes but not cars, much like the bus stop at Rimatu (er.. Timaru).
The 'bad' corner coming onto the new front straight at Taupo could be coned, so you come onto it slower, hence taking a tighter line to avoid the wall on the exit....

[scracha]

Places like Puke, why can't they cone in a chicane on the back straight for slower classes? Hockenheim has chicanes used by bikes but not cars, much
Never mind just for the slower bikes, they could do it before some of the more dangerous sections (you know...5ft of runoff before armco)

[scrivy]

Never mind just for the slower bikes, they could do it before some of the more dangerous sections (you know...5ft of runoff before armco)

Quite right! Us riders need to be more vocal to organisers, then changes will get made! Squeeky wheel and all that........

I've taken alot of stuff onboard for the TRRS from what riders have requested of me. Stay tuned very very soon for info........

[Clivoris]

You're onto it slowpoke. I couldn't care less about racing at the exact same track each time. Why don't they just cone the bad areas off? It would make a different track for everyone.
Places like Puke, why can't they cone in a chicane on the back straight for slower classes? Hockenheim has chicanes used by bikes but not cars, much like the bus stop at Rimatu (er.. Timaru).
The 'bad' corner coming onto the new front straight at Taupo could be coned, so you come onto it slower, hence taking a tighter line to avoid the wall on the exit....

Initially I thought coning slippery bits off would work as well. Several people pointed out the risk of the cones being hit and fouling other competitors, possibly leading to carnage. At least the slippy bits stay where they are lap after lap. Cones flying about at the apex of a corner are another problem entirely.

[wharfy]

I like the layout, the facilities are good, the patches to the track are pretty crude and mess with your head a bit. It is a bit of a haul to get there and back but I'm a yes vote.

[Clivoris]

I have had contact from track management today and they are very keen on receiving feedback about this and other issues. It was a very satisfying conversation that assured me that they are aware of the issues. They were very honest in also saying that they aren't sure what the solutions are, or how quickly they can be put in place, but they are looking into it.

[Tony.OK]

I have had contact from track management today and they are very keen on receiving feedback about this and other issues. It was a very satisfying conversation that assured me that they are aware of the issues. They were very honest in also saying that they aren't sure what the solutions are, or how quickly they can be put in place, but they are looking into it.

Are you talking Taupo track management here Clive?
They also told Brian Woods that the track was getting sorted...........nearly 2 months ago............are they waiting for a more serious injury perhaps?
Would someone pay full price to hire a car and be happy if the steering was broken?................don't think so.
Sorry if I'm on the wrong page here.......

[Clivoris]

Are you talking Taupo track management here Clive?
They also told Brian Woods that the track was getting sorted...........nearly 2 months ago............are they waiting for a more serious injury perhaps?
Would someone pay full price to hire a car and be happy if the steering was broken?................don't think so.
Sorry if I'm on the wrong page here.......

Fair enough comment Tony. The person I spoke to today wasn't there 2 months ago. He is very concerned.

[sugilite]

I like racing at Taupo, even though many corners are pretty much single line. It has been a while since I raced Taupo in Winter. The way it was a few years back, I noticed it was hard to see if it was completely wet or not (might be my old eyes playing tricks!)...and it was super slippery. Things may have changed by now. I can certainly see the merits of having it on the calendar, maybe as the last round when it is a bit warmer?

[Shaun]

I have had contact from track management today and they are very keen on receiving feedback about this and other issues. It was a very satisfying conversation that assured me that they are aware of the issues. They were very honest in also saying that they aren't sure what the solutions are, or how quickly they can be put in place, but they are looking into it.


Post there Email address mate, BUT please folks, DO NOT ABUSE THEM, be constructive please please please

[Clivoris]

Post there Email address mate, BUT please folks, DO NOT ABUSE THEM, be constructive please please please

I don't want to do that without asking him first mate, but he has requested that I send a formal e-mail expressing any concerns. The VMCC committee had already decided to do this and putting this thread up was done to gather some opinion, just to check whether or not I was being a big wimp. It's definitely been worth doing.

[roadracingoldfart]

I don't want to do that without asking him first mate, but he has requested that I send a formal e-mail expressing any concerns. The VMCC committee had already decided to do this and putting this thread up was done to gather some opinion, just to check whether or not I was being a big wimp. It's definitely been worth doing.




Good result Clive. :niceone: :first:

[Shaun]

Good result Clive. :niceone: :first:



+100, go Clive

[DEATH_INC.]

I haven't raced for a while, but for what it's worth I've done millions of laps around taupo track all year round (though again not for a while) and I don't believe it's a good place to race in the winter....it takes too long for the surface to come up to good temperature and it goes off again mid-afternoon.
That's why I'm giving the next track day there a miss.
Edit; Don't drop the Taupo round from VMCC though, that's what got me started in R/R. In fact I'd like to see 2 rounds there :) just as early and late as possible.

[cowpoos]

Initially I thought coning slippery bits off would work as well. Several people pointed out the risk of the cones being hit and fouling other competitors, possibly leading to carnage. At least the slippy bits stay where they are lap after lap. Cones flying about at the apex of a corner are another problem entirely.

They use cones in the states on a number of tracks for the bikes and don't seem to have any problems...I would imagine using common sense with placement would apply though.

[Shaun]

Sorry but, harden the F up.

Yes the track could be better, but your bike only goes as fast as YOU pull the triggger?

So winge winge, but the track is good enough for Heydon Fitz, sloan ie choppa, stroud, Sketchy, learnn how to deal with changes/weird shit, JUST like the road that 99% of you ride on

[Kiwi Graham]

I don't want to do that without asking him first mate, but he has requested that I send a formal e-mail expressing any concerns. The VMCC committee had already decided to do this and putting this thread up was done to gather some opinion, just to check whether or not I was being a big wimp. It's definitely been worth doing.


+100, go Clive

The general opinion aside from the white lines on the front straight (prob could be water blasted) is the patches on the apex of several of the corners.

Would a cheap fix for circuit management to do be to 'fix' temporary curbing over the repairs (they could even use that bloody resin stuff to bond them to the surface) basically extending the apex 'into' the corner resulting in very little track surface lost.

I think it would be a quick and easy solution while they continue to save for a permanent repair of the problem.

[koba]

Hmm, tough call for me.

None of the poll options fit my feelings close enough so I havn't ticked any.

I think variery is important but really dont want the massive expense of getting up there for any more than one round of the year.

It pretty much has to be round one or six to keep it the least wintery and as round 6 at Manfield kicked arse last year I think round one is the best choice.

As for the surface, I'm only on a 150 so it may be a wee bit different but I see it as alll part of the game.
The last two corners were a bit over the top but I thought the rest of it was fine and found picking a good line that allowed me to keep the speed up without going to far around the long way a great skill building exercise.
It also jazzed up the racing a bit creating different options for attacking the corners (Slower and tight over the bumps of fast and wide)

So after all that I'm basically sitting on the fence and see the merit in all the arguments put foward!

[DEATH_INC.]

Sorry but, harden the F up.

Yes the track could be better, but your bike only goes as fast as YOU pull the triggger?

So winge winge, but the track is good enough for Heydon Fitz, sloan ie choppa, stroud, Sketchy, learnn how to deal with changes/weird shit, JUST like the road that 99% of you ride on
Yep, true.
At this point I will add that I would race there in the winter, despite it not being the best.

[Quasievil]

So winge winge, but the track is good enough for Heydon Fitz, sloan ie choppa, stroud, Sketchy, learnn how to deal with changes/weird shit, JUST like the road that 99% of you ride on

Is it? I understand they think its crapola to.

Yes to pull the trigger but its a track not a road and because its a track why should it be acceptable to have it in such a poor state, no need to answer that dude, but I reckon its shit and needs to be fixed period .If we accept it why would they fix it? shouldnt we demand a better class of track in this country, how would we get a WSBK for example if our standard of track is allowed to fall that far in terms of maintenance? Is it because its just NZ and just NZ riders so its okay.........Nah fuck em , fix the fucking thing to a acceptable standard !